Radiotherapy to the spine for spinal cord tumours

Transcription

1 Radiotherapy to the spine for spinal cord tumours A guide for patients and their carers We care, we discover, we teach

2 This booklet tells you about radiotherapy treatment for primary spinal tumours. The Christie is a specialised radiotherapy centre, and patients come for treatments that are not available in general hospitals. If you are having radiotherapy as an inpatient please bring this booklet with you. It is important that your family and friends feel wellinformed and understand what is happening. Please share this booklet with them. Families and carers can have a role in helping you. If you would like more detailed information about your own treatment, please ask a member of staff who is caring for you: your doctor, nurse or radiographer. You may have heard about radiotherapy from people you know or from the patients at The Christie. Please remember that each patient is an individual and that their information may not apply to you. Please note: Mobile phones can interfere with the treatment equipment. Please look out for signs letting you know if it is safe to use your mobile phone. If you do have one with you, you may need to turn it off. Many patients with brain tumours ask if using a mobile will make the tumour worse. There is no evidence to suggest that using a mobile during or after radiotherapy treatment will affect your brain tumour in any way The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This document may be copied for use within the NHS only on the condition that The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is acknowledged as the creator.

3 Contents What is radiotherapy? Agreeing to treatment... 2 How does the radiotherapy work?... 4 Preparation for treatment Mould room Permanent marks Scans What happens when you have your treatment?... 6 Some questions about radiotherapy Side effects of treatment Cranio-spinal radiotherapy Chemotherapy After the treatment: follow-up and scans Appointments Driving Prescriptions Travel and holidays Research at The Christie Car parking Further information Benefits and finance Student training Useful contacts Christie Clinic

4 A treatment machine What is radiotherapy? Radiotherapy uses exact, carefully measured doses of radiation to treat diseases. It uses high energy x-rays which destroy the tumour while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. It is given in small, equal doses over a specified period of days or weeks. Specially trained professionals, therapy radiographers, operate the treatment machines called linear accelerators. Although all the machines do not look alike, they all work in a similar way. These machines are just more powerful versions of the x-ray machines that are used to take pictures of chests and broken bones. The specific amount of radiation (dose) and number of treatments you will need depend on the exact type of tumour you have. This means that you may find that you are having a different number of treatments from other people you meet here at The Christie. Agreeing to treatment Consent to treatment We will ask you to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the treatment that you are being offered. It is important that you understand the possible risks and intended benefits of any treatment for your tumour. The doctor will give you a copy of the consent form to take home and consider before you start any treatment. The doctors and nurses will give you some written information (this booklet) to back up the description of the treatment. All tumour treatments have some risks and it is important that you understand what these are. 2

5 Of course, every attempt is made to minimise any risk to you and we will carefully monitor you throughout your treatment. During your treatment preparation you will have opportunities to discuss anything that you do not understand. Consent may be withdrawn at any time before or during treatment. Should you decide to withdraw your consent then a member of your treating team will discuss the possible consequences with you. Radiation can be harmful to the unborn child. It is important to let the radiographers know if you have missed a period, or suspect that you might be pregnant before you are exposed to any radiation. What are the benefits of treatment? The aim of treatment is to control the tumour. The benefits vary between different people and your doctor will discuss the specific benefits to you. Are there any alternatives to this treatment? Treatment for spinal tumours can include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, other medication or active surveillance (watchful waiting) or a combination of these. Alternatives to radiotherapy may include one or more of these options. Your consultant will discuss this with you. What will happen if I do not have this treatment? Without treatment the spinal tumour may grow and cause further symptoms. If you are worried about having treatment or you would like to consider not having treatment, please contact your neuro-oncology specialist nurse, consultant or GP. You can change your mind about having treatment at any time before you start radiotherapy. This will not affect your relationship with the medical staff. 3

6 If you want to have treatment it is important to complete it, so that the treatment is effective. How does the radiotherapy work? Our bodies are made up of cells. All cells are able to grow and divide. When radiation hits a cell that is dividing, the cell will be damaged. Normal healthy cells are able to repair this damage, however tumour cells are much less able to repair this damage and so more of the tumour cells will be destroyed. Preparation for treatment The specialist doctor who will look after you is a clinical oncologist. He or she will ask you some questions, examine you and explain your treatment. A team of doctors including consultants and registrars as well as specialist nurses, radiographers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists will care for you. Once your treatment has been decided, we will give you an appointment for your treatment preparation. Immobilisation shell Mould room Occasionally, people having radiotherapy to the spine have to wear a shell while they are having treatment (picture opposite). This helps to keep your head and spine still during the treatment and marks can be drawn on the shell to ensure that the treatment is given to the same area each day. 4

7 Your shell will be made in a room called the mould room. The mould room staff will discuss the procedure with you. Many people, especially if they are a bit claustrophobic, worry about having a shell prepared; however, most people cope very well. Help from our complementary therapy (or CALM ) team is available if you need it to help you relax. You will have the preparation as an outpatient even if you have your treatment as an inpatient. Permanent marks Depending on the location of your tumour, the radiographers might need to discuss with you the possibility of having small permanent marks. To help the radiographers ensure you are lying in the correct position every day, with your permission, several little marks will be placed under your skin surface. These marks are very small spots of ink which are approximately the size of a full stop. They are placed under your skin using a small needle and although the marks are permanent, they do fade over time. Please do not worry about these marks; the radiographers will discuss them with you in more detail when you attend for your planning appointment. Scans To help with the planning of your treatment you will have x-rays or a CT scan. If you need a shell, these images will be taken while you are wearing the shell that has been made for you. Some patients also need an MRI scan to help with treatment preparation. When we have the results from the x-rays and scan your doctor will CT scanner 5

8 6 plan your treatment. You do not have to come back to The Christie for this. However, you will need to return here so that we can check the treatment plan before the actual treatment process begins. This is done on a machine called a treatment simulator. What happens when you have your treatment? On the day of your first treatment, you will come to the radiotherapy department. If you are an inpatient a therapy care assistant may bring you to the department. You will have already visited the department as part of the preparation for treatment and you will have met some of the therapy Being positioned by radiographer before treatment begins radiographers. Before the treatment begins a member of staff will explain what will happen during the treatment. If you have any questions or worries please feel free to discuss them with the radiographer. The Christie is a training centre, so you may meet radiography students who may be involved with the delivery of your treatment under close supervision. Radiographers operate the radiotherapy machines to give you the precise treatment prescribed by the doctor. On each treatment visit they will ask you how you are feeling and ensure that you are coping well as the treatment progresses. The radiographer will help you on to the treatment bed, put your shell on you (if applicable) and adjust the bed and the machine to the exact positions that are needed. He or she will ask you to remove any clothing

9 or jewellery including earrings that are in the area being treated. During the treatment you need to keep as still as possible. The radiotherapy machines are quite big and if you have never seen one before you might feel anxious. There is no need to worry the treatment is absolutely painless. The radiographers are there to support and reassure you. Once your treatment has been set up and the radiographers are happy that everything is all right, they will leave the room to switch the treatment on. They will be watching you carefully on a closed circuit television system. The radiographer at the controls The treatment is normally given from a number of different directions (beams) depending on your individual treatment plan. It may only take a minute to actually give each beam but the whole treatment session may take between 15 minutes and an hour. Some people worry that they will be enclosed by the machine but this will not happen. The machine can move around you, but nothing will press down on you. The treatment machines make a buzzing noise when they are switched on. This is how you will know when the treatment is happening. If you become worried, anxious or do not feel well while the treatment is being given, just raise your hand and the radiographers will interrupt the treatment and come in to you immediately. The prescribed radiation dose and the number of days over which it is given vary between patients. Treatment is usually given Monday to Friday. There is usually no radiotherapy given on Saturdays and Sundays and this is taken into account when your treatment is planned. Sometimes treatment is given on Bank Holidays. 7

10 You will usually be treated on the same machine throughout the course of your radiotherapy. However, the machines occasionally need to be serviced. The radiographers treating you will let you know about this. You will not miss any treatment but it may be given on another machine. It is very important that you do not miss treatment days as this may make your treatment less effective. If you feel you are unable to attend for any reason please telephone the staff on your treatment machine and discuss the problem with a radiographer. We will give you the date and time of your first treatment visit when you attend for your last planning visit. Treatment usually starts within a few days to a week. Some questions about radiotherapy Will it hurt? No. You will feel no pain at all while you are actually having the treatment. Is it safe? Radiation used in medical treatment is given in controlled, carefully measured doses. The aim is to treat the illness whilst minimising the dose to the normal tissues. Will I be radio-active? No. Patients treated by x-rays do not become radio-active. The radiation does not stay in your body after treatment, so you cannot do anyone else any harm. It is safe for you to mix with other people and to have visitors if you are on the wards. 8

11 I already have problems with my general health. Will radiotherapy treatment make them worse? Not usually, but the treatment may make you feel more tired than normal. Please tell your treating team about any existing medical conditions and continue with any medication that you may be taking. Please ask your Christie doctor if you are worried about any other health problems. When will I see the doctor? While you are having radiotherapy, you will see a member of the team every week. This may be the consultant, registrar, specialist radiographer or nurse. The purpose of this visit is to make sure that you are progressing well through treatment as expected, and to deal with any side effects that you may be having. Please tell the team member you see if you are having problems so that you can get help with any side effects. If you feel you need to see the doctor at any other time please speak to a radiographer who will help you. Can I come for treatment at any time of the day? If you are having treatment as an outpatient, the radiographers will give you an appointment time for the first treatment when you attend for your planning session. After that you can arrange with your treating team a time that suits both you and the machine. Please try and be as flexible as possible. The time you prefer may not be available at the start of your treatment because of the large patient numbers on the unit. If you need a specific time with valid reasons, please give the radiographers at least 48 hours notice. The time we give you may vary half an hour either way each day due to emergencies and so on. Each day, we will give you an appointment time for the following day. 9

12 If you are coming by ambulance transport we will give you a morning or afternoon appointment to fit in with your consultant s clinic. If you are an inpatient, the treating team will call for you when they have a free slot. If you are going on weekend leave, please let the staff know and they will do their best to treat you as early as possible. Will I be treated as an outpatient or an inpatient? You will usually have your treatment as an outpatient. Some people continue to work during part of their treatment. However, after daily travel and treatment, you may feel tired and need to rest. Your doctor will have discussed with you about travelling daily for your treatment as an outpatient. However, if you do become unwell during your treatment we will usually admit you as an inpatient to support you through your radiotherapy. You will not have to stay in bed, so bring suitable day wear such as tops and skirts or trousers. Treatment usually takes up only a small part of the day and, if you are well enough, you may be able to go out check with the ward staff first. What happens if I need transport to and from The Christie? Many patients are able to ask a friend or relative to help them with travelling for their treatment. However if you think you will need ambulance transport please discuss this with a radiotherapy support worker or radiographer on your first visit to the radiotherapy department. Ambulance transport can be arranged subject to eligibility criteria based on medical need. There also needs to be a medical need for you to bring an escort on hospital 10

13 transport. Ambulance transport will be arranged as a block booking for all of your treatments. There can be delays for some time either side of your appointment because of the high demand for transport. Please take this into account when you are deciding whether to use ambulance transport or not. Hospital transport is provided by North West Ambulance Service and Arriva, however, you can contact the transport liaison office at The Christie directly on or 8143 for advice. Patients attending The Christie at Salford should ring to arrange all their transport. Side effects of treatment Side effects can be mild or more troublesome depending on the strength of the radiotherapy dose and the length of your treatment. Radiotherapy can cause general side effects such as tiredness, but there are some effects which are specific to having radiotherapy to the spine. While you are having radiotherapy it is very important that you continue to take the medication prescribed by your doctor. Do not change anything unless you have discussed this with your doctor first. Feeling sick Occasionally some people may have feelings of sickness. This can usually be effectively treated by anti-sickness drugs which your doctor can prescribe. Change in appetite You may find that food tastes different or you have a metallic taste in your mouth. If your appetite is affected, try to eat little and often. If you don t feel like eating, you can replace meals with nutritious, high-calorie drinks. These are available from most chemists and can be prescribed by your GP. 11

14 Sore throat Depending on the location of the tumour, some people may develop a sore throat, discomfort on swallowing or a dry cough. All of these can usually be treated with medication which your doctor can prescribe. Bladder or bowel disturbance Depending on the location of the tumour, some people may develop a loosening of their bowels which may develop into diarrhoea. Some may also find that they have to pass urine more frequently. If you notice any changes in your bowel or bladder functions please tell a member of your treating team. These can be effectively managed with medications which your doctor can prescribe. Tiredness Radiotherapy often makes people feel tired. It builds up towards the end of treatment and can last for several weeks after the treatment has finished. Take rests when you need too but try to maintain your normal daily activities as much as you can be because we know that this can be beneficial. The Macmillan leaflet Coping with fatigue provides further advice on this and is available from the cancer information centres. Recurrence or worsening tumour-related symptoms Some people find the symptoms of the spine tumour recur or temporarily get worse either during the course of radiotherapy or after the treatment has finished. This can make them think that their tumour is getting worse but, in fact, it is a reaction to the radiotherapy treatment. If you find this happening to you, it is important to discuss it with the doctor, nurse or radiographer, who will be able to give you the right advice, treatment and medical support. 12

15 Skin changes Some people develop a skin reaction, similar to sunburn, while having radiotherapy. This normally happens about half way through the treatment (usually after three to four weeks). People with pale skin may find that the skin in the treatment area becomes red and sore and itchy. People with darker skin may find that their skin becomes darker and can have a blue or black tinge. The amount of the reaction depends on the area being treated and the individual person s skin. Some people have no skin problems at all. Your radiographers will be looking for these reactions, but you should let them know as soon as you feel any soreness. The radiographers treating you will give you advice about the best way to take care of your skin during radiotherapy. Using E45 cream or aqueous cream is normally recommended, however if you are unsure please check with a member of your treating team. Infertility Depending upon the location of the tumour, this treatment can cause infertility which is permanent. If fertility is an issue for you, please discuss this with your doctor. If appropriate, it is possible to arrange for you to see a fertility specialist. Late or permanent side effects It is possible for some types of reaction to occur months or years after the treatment has finished. These late effects will depend on the part of the spine being treated and your doctor will discuss any possible late effects with you before you start the radiotherapy treatment. 13

16 Cranio-spinal radiotherapy A small proportion of people with rare types of tumours will need treatment to their whole brain and spine. This is known as cranio-spinal radiotherapy. In addition to the side effects outlined above, this treatment can cause bone marrow suppression (drop in blood levels, in particular, platelets, red cells and white cells), infertility, hormone under-activity (thyroid and pituitary) and loss of hair on the head. The side effects of radiotherapy to the brain are described in the booklet Radiotherapy for brain tumours and will be fully discussed with you by your consultant. Chemotherapy Your doctor may recommend some chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. It can be given as tablets or capsules. Sometimes it can be delivered directly into the bloodstream via a drip or injection. You may have chemotherapy before, during and/ or after radiotherapy. If your doctor feels you might benefit from this treatment, he or she will discuss this with you. The staff will give you a leaflet with specific information about the type of chemotherapy that you are going to have. After the treatment: follow-up and scans Your side effects may last for some weeks after the treatment finishes so it is important to continue with your skincare routine and take all medicines as prescribed by the doctor. Your first follow-up appointment will usually be 6 weeks after your last treatment. This will normally be in the outpatient department at The Christie. The doctor will 14

17 discuss how you have been since your treatment and will often arrange for you to have a follow up scan. Most patients will have their first follow-up scan carried out 2 to 3 months after the end of radiotherapy treatment. Radiotherapy works slowly and it can take up to 3 months for treatment effects to settle down and any benefit to be seen. You will then have regular follow-up visits to the clinic with repeat scans arranged once or twice a year or depending on your symptoms. Some patients ask about warning signs they should look for once the treatment has been completed. There can be different signs depending on where the original problem was. For this reason, you should ask the doctor to discuss this with you. Of course, if you are worried about anything you feel may be related to the tumour or the treatment, please contact us and, if necessary, we can arrange an earlier outpatient appointment for you. Appointments Once you are having treatment, if you have a problem with your appointment time, please speak to your treating team as soon as possible. It is helpful if you can quote your hospital number it will be on your appointment card or letter. If your follow-up appointment is inconvenient, please contact your consultant s secretary. Alternatively, you could write to your consultant at: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust Withington Manchester M20 4BX 15

18 If you do write, please make sure that the letter arrives well in advance of your appointment, as this will make it easier to arrange another appointment for you. If you change your address please let your consultant s secretary know your new address and the details of your new family doctor. Driving All drivers who have a spinal tumour are legally required to inform the DVLA of their diagnosis. Patients with a low grade (WHO Grade 1) are normally allowed to drive on recovery. Patients with a medulloblastoma or low grade ependymoma are not permitted to drive a car for a minimum of one year. Patients with high grade tumours are not permitted to drive for a minimum of 2 years from the time of their main initial treatment (surgery or radiotherapy). The DVLA can be contacted at: DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL You can also notify the DVLA of your medical condition by phone: Full details and advice are also available on the website at: Prescriptions From 1 April 2009 NHS patients treated for cancer became entitled to free prescriptions. Prescriptions from The Christie Pharmacy are free for NHS patients. You will need an exemption certificate to get free prescriptions from a community pharmacy. Application forms are available from your GP or The Christie benefits department. 16

19 Travel and holidays It is preferred for you not to go on holiday during treatment because we know that the treatment works better if there are no breaks. Most people do not feel like travelling for the first few weeks after their treatment. However everyone is different. It may take 4 to 6 weeks before your side effects settle and it may be some time after this before you feel like going on holiday. Once you feel like going away, there is no problem travelling within the U.K. If you are thinking of going abroad, make sure you have adequate health insurance which includes the diagnosis of your tumour or cancer. This might mean that the cost of your insurance policy is higher than it has been previously. Some people have found it useful to get a quote for their insurance before booking a holiday as this may affect your choice of destination. Even if you are travelling within Europe you should have health insurance as well as the (free) European Health Insurance Card. More information about this and other things to consider are available in the booklets Getting Travel Insurance and Travel and Cancer Macmillan Cancer Support, which are available from the cancer information centre. Research at The Christie The Christie, along with the nearby Paterson Laboratory, is a major centre for cancer research of all kinds. The staff may ask if you are willing to help with some of the clinical trials and audits that are going on. We will give you detailed written information regarding the trial and its purposes. You will have time to consider your answer, 17

20 discuss with family and friends and ask questions before you decide whether or not to take part. You are under no obligation to take part in any trials. If you take part in a clinical trial you will meet the research nurse or research radiographer who help to run the trials. You are free to withdraw from a trial at any time and for any reason. This will not affect your relationship with medical staff. Car parking There is a special car parking scheme to make coming for daily radiotherapy and car parking easier. The staff in the radiotherapy department will tell you about this after your radiotherapy planning session. The Christie at Salford has designated areas for patient parking with code entry for radiotherapy patients. Further information Macmillan Cancer Support This is a national cancer information charity which runs a cancer information service. The cancer support service free-phone number is (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm). If you are hard of hearing, use the text phone If you are a non-english speaker, interpreters are available. Specially trained cancer nurses can give you information on all aspects of cancer and its treatment. Information and advice about finance and benefits is also available. Macmillan Cancer Support publishes booklets which are free to patients, their families and carers. You can get a copy by ringing the free-phone number. The information is on their website: There is a booklet called Spinal Cord Tumours and other information is available on cancer treatments - 18

21 such as Understanding radiotherapy and Understanding chemotherapy. There are also booklets on living with cancer - some of these are listed below: n Talking about your cancer n Lost for words n Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer n Cancer and Complementary therapies n Travel and cancer The cancer information centres offer information, advice and support. The centres have a full range of booklets free to patients and their relatives or carers. There are information centres at The Christie at Withington, Salford and Oldham. Cancer information in your language If English is not your first language, you can speak to a nurse at Cancer Research UK through a qualified interpreter. The service is free and over 170 languages are available on BASIC (Brain and Spinal Injury Charity) Basic provides a specialist resource at the Neurocare Centre in Salford for people with brain related conditions. BASIC helpline Christie information The Christie produces a range of patient information booklets and DVDs, some of these are listed below. Booklets are free to patients coming to The Christie and are available from the cancer information centre. If you are an inpatient and would like a copy please ask the ward staff. If you are an outpatient please ask your nurse, doctor or radiographer. 19

22 n Where to get help: services for people with cancer This discusses sources of help when you have cancer, where to go for financial help, palliative care and cancer support groups. n Eating: Help Yourself This gives advice on eating problems when you don t feel well and you are having treatment. Other booklets give helpful advice on diet: Advice about soft and liquidised foods and Nutritional drinks. Please ask staff for a copy. n Your A-Z of coping with nausea and vomiting This booklet has helpful tips on coping with nausea and vomiting. There is also a description of the different types of anti-sickness medication. n Your A-Z of pain relief This booklet has a list of commonly used medicines for pain relief, how and when to take them as well as advice on what to do if pain is a problem at home. n Be Active, Stay Active: a guide for exercising during and after treatment for cancer A booklet and DVD with a simple exercise programme you can follow. There is also more information about coping with fatigue and the benefits of exercise. Available with sub-titles and in Urdu and Chinese. For the visually impaired: Large print versions of the booklets are available, please contact Patient Information on or you can download these from The Christie website at CDs on radiotherapy are available from the cancer information centre 20

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Radiotherapy to the breast Information for patients at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Patient Information Series PI10 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre... supporting people

Treating Oesophageal Cancer A Quick Guide Contents This is a brief summary of the information on Treating from our website. You will find more detailed information on the website. In this information there

Having a CT Scan Information for Patients In this leaflet: Introduction 2 What is a CT scan?...2 How does it work?. 2 Are there any risks?.3 What do I need to do to prepare for my scan?....3 Where do I

Chemotherapy for breast cancer This information is an extract from the booklet Understanding breast cancer in women. You may find the full booklet helpful. We can send you a free copy see page 8. Contents

Patient Survey This questionnaire is about your care and treatment for cancer. Its purpose is to provide information which can help the NHS monitor and improve the quality of health services for future

Patient information Using strong Opioids to control your pain Published: April 2013. Date for review: April 2016 Introduction This leaflet explains what strong opioids (pronounced oh-pee-oyds) e are and

Information for patients having a Prostate MRI Scan Department of Radiology Information for Patients Radiology Leaflet No. 96 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Introduction If you are an outpatient

TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST CARE FOR EACH PATIENT ON EVERY OCCASION Macmillan Oldham Community Specialist Palliative Care Team An information guide Macmillan Oldham Community Specialist Palliative Care Team

WHEN PROSTATE CANCER RETURNS: ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER (The following information is based on the general experiences of many prostate cancer patients. Your experience may be different.) How Will I Know

CT Virtual Colonoscopy Ladywell Building Radiology 2 0161 206 1233 All Rights Reserved 2015. Document for issue as handout. This information booklet tells you about virtual colonoscopy, which is a test

Multiple Myeloma Introduction Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. Each year, thousands of people find out that they have multiple myeloma. This reference summary will help

Understanding Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Introduction Chemotherapy is part of your continuing treatment. This booklet has been compiled in an effort to help you understand cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is your

Radiotherapy treatment for Lung Cancer A guide for patients 1 Contents Patient journey for lung cancer radiotherapy... 3 About this guide... 4 What is radiotherapy and why is it given?... 5 How does radiotherapy

Dental care for patients with head and neck cancer This leaflet explains why it is important to see a dentist before and after your treatment for head and neck cancer. It also explains what you can expect

Department of Radiation Oncology Welcome to Radiation Oncology at Emory Clinic Every member of Emory Clinic Department of Radiation Oncology strives to provide the highest quality of care for you as our

Produced 2010 Next revision due 2012 Lymphoma and palliative care services Introduction Despite improvements in treatment, many people with lymphoma will not be cured. Death and dying are things that people